Player welfare and Kalyn Ponga

[Pierced Soul]

Perhaps, and hear me out on this, we don’t all need to have an uninformed opinion of something we don’t understand.
Maybe we leave it to people that actually have some expertise in the area?

Pffft this is the internet and we're all experts here

 

[Fangs]

That was my assumption as well given the increased amount of defence. But it was pointed out on 360 tonight that he's had plenty on concussions at fullback regardless

Absolutely. You can't hide anyone on a rugby league field. Though the Titans do a pretty good job with David Fifita most games.

 

[Wizardman]

I’d have to see footage of Mario at a lunch in the 80s to compare.

somehow I don’t think the conversation would be that different

What a piece of shit comment.

 

[Wizardman]

I think a doctor from outside the game need to have a good look into Ponga's health.

But, looking at it from a public point of view, there are a few disturbing signs with him. The ease in which he has got concussed the last three times is of particular concern. In mma, that is pretty much when you know a fighter's career is over.

I hope Im wrong in this case....but from guys like Cordner and Kyle Turner...it did not take much to concuss them.

Please be wrong.

 

[YoHadrian]

Cricket helmets don't seem to impede anyone, he should try one of those.

 

[Danish]

Are you suggesting that 1 in 5 (or 6) NFL players getting CTE is not that bad?

15% is closer to 1 in 7. And the general populace are found to have CTE at a rate of anywhere from 1 in 10 to 1 in 20.

And that is taking the entire science of CTE at face value. Would love to know what they do to isolate the decades of other horrendous health activities like drinking, drugs, and various pain killers that would also fry these guys’ brains

 

[Floodwaters]

Surely a proper medical retirement covers income protection and adequate compensation for players?

This situation reinforces the RLPA position on retirement funding, for mine.

your kidding yourself if you think he'd be well compensated.

 

[WaznTheGreat]

This kid needs to retire before his god damn head falls off,do you know how hard it is to back a winner at Doomben without a head?

 

[Captain Apollo]

Andrew Webster had some info regarding what went down with Boyd Cordner with his head knocks. The Roosters sent him off to see a whole heap of specialists, who put him thru a battery of tests, which said it was ok for him to resume playing. Cordner went back to training, but he wou8nd up pulling the plug himself after months of training as he just could not go thru with it (source: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nr...n-but-ponga-needs-longer-20230313-p5crim.html - sorry I can't access from here where I currently am).

Whilst medical science has uncovered a lot, there is still much about repeated concussions and long term impacts on health that are not completely known. However what is known paints a grim picture.

 

[Pierced Soul]

your kidding yourself if you think he'd be well compensated.

360 said he'd be paid out the contract in full and the club would have that amount freed up in the cap. So from a financial situation he'd be doing fine, plus he has other interests I think, some clothing label or alcohol I think.

As others have said, for a player on minimum wage with a series of concussions they'd be in a lot more financial hardship

 

[Canard]

your kidding yourself if you think he'd be well compensated.

I understand that insurance covers the balance of your contract IF you are medically retired.

 

[Floodwaters]

I understand that insurance covers the balance of your contract IF you are medically retired.

Player like Ponga if that is correct would get paid out 5 million then... pays tax on that so would pocket a few million..

Hate to get forced out as a lesser known player then.

 

[10$ Ferret]

I think a doctor from outside the game need to have a good look into Ponga's health.

But, looking at it from a public point of view, there are a few disturbing signs with him. The ease in which he has got concussed the last three times is of particular concern. In mma, that is pretty much when you know a fighter's career is over.

I hope Im wrong in this case....but from guys like Cordner and Kyle Turner...it did not take much to concuss them.

Please be wrong.

Each NRL club has to nominate an independent neuro specialist that they will use when the need arises. There are thresholds interms of the amount of concussions and/or the length of recovery time that the clubs are bound by that determine when the specialist needs to be brought in.
Some clubs (Roosters one example) that will bring in the specialist before the thresholds are met.

 

[Canard]

Player like Ponga if that is correct would get paid out 5 million then... pays tax on that so would pocket a few million..

Hate to get forced out as a lesser known player then.

Isn't that the very issue that the RLPA was pushing for during the CBA?

For some reason it got painted as greedy by News Ltd and some here on LU.

 

[Canard]

Player like Ponga if that is correct would get paid out 5 million then... pays tax on that so would pocket a few million..

Hate to get forced out as a lesser known player then.

And the Knights can remove it from their cap (IF medically retired)

 

[Floodwaters]

And the Knights can remove it from their cap (IF medically retired)

That makes sense, few million from a payout won't set Ponga up for life though when he has a 2million dollar mortgage.

 

[Canard]

Former Cat Rooke to lead concussion class action against AFL in Supreme Court

Dual Geelong premiership player Max Rooke is the lead plaintiff in a landmark class action against the AFL lodged in the Supreme Court of Victoria, seeking compensation for alleged damage to former players due to concussion.

www.theage.com.au

 

[Canard]

That makes sense, few million from a payout won't set Ponga up for life though when he has a 2million dollar mortgage.

I may also include a clause based on future earnings potetential (I don't know if it does)

Given he was on a contract rumoured to be in the order of $700 to 800k a season since 2018, you would hope he would have but some of those earnings into a house and/or invested it wisely.

In the end, I would value my own health over a property portfolio though.

 

[Angry_eel]

Former Cat Rooke to lead concussion class action against AFL in Supreme Court

Dual Geelong premiership player Max Rooke is the lead plaintiff in a landmark class action against the AFL lodged in the Supreme Court of Victoria, seeking compensation for alleged damage to former players due to concussion.

www.theage.com.au

How do AFL players get concussed? Is it from falling from taking marks?

 

[Angry_eel]

That makes sense, few million from a payout won't set Ponga up for life though when he has a 2million dollar mortgage.

Well if he leaves now, he MIGHT be able to do a regular job. If he sticks around 2-3 years, he might be damaged for life.